In: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:
Three Pitches. Three Major Retail Wins: Here’s How Clean Age Did it With ECRM & RangeMe

Clean Age is batting a thousand when it comes to landing major retail deals. The brand, which makes personal care products aimed at the teenage market, is on the shelves at Fred Meyer thanks to Kroger’s 2021 Natural & Organic Innovation Summit; it also scored a coveted golden ticket from Walmart’s 2022 Open Call; and this past month launched nationwide at RITE AID from the retailer’s 2022 Sustainability Summit.

Each of these opportunities began with a submission on RangeMe and — in the case of Kroger and Rite Aid — included a virtual meeting on ECRM Connect. Three at-bats, three home runs. 

I spoke with Clean Age Co-Founder & CEO Rachel Peters and VP of Sales and Operations Brady DeLong to uncover the secret behind their consistent success with these retailers, and by the time we wrapped up, it was clear why they did so well. First, the brand has amazing products made with natural, clean ingredients and sustainable packaging. The products are also gender-neutral, which aligns with the brand’s strong focus on inclusivity. What’s more, the company speaks well to the younger generation of consumers, a coveted market for any retailer.

On the B2B side, the Clean Age team …

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In: Dropshipping|Last Updated:
Top 4 Most Popular Types of Businesses for New Entrepreneurs

From developing your big idea and naming your brand to building a killer website and finding those first customers, starting a business is a thrilling journey. But something else also goes into the equation: establishing the proper foundation and structure for your business.

Incorporation may not be the sexiest part of entrepreneurship, but it’s a necessary step in setting up a legal entity recognizable by your state and the federal government. Think of it as the unglamorous but necessary grunt work of launching a successful new business venture.

In this post, you’ll learn about the different types of businesses and how to choose the best one for success.

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Why your business structure matters

Your business’s legal structure has a significant impact on its taxation, liabilities, and access to funding and capital. Different structures apply depending on whether you are forming a business partnership, corporation, or limited liability company. Despite these variations, incorporating your business can provide numerous advantages, such as:

Better chance to secure business funding Transferable business ownership Security of personal assets Limited liability in the case of legal issues related to the firm Potential for tax savings  Distinct …
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In: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:
5 Unique Trends From Natural Products Expo West 2023

The 2023 Natural Products Expo West is an annual event that brings natural and organic products industry leaders and enthusiasts together worldwide. The event, which took place in Anaheim from March 7-12, was the perfect place for showcasing the latest trends, innovations, and breakthroughs in the industry. More than 100,000 attendees and 3,500 exhibitors gathered to discover new products or showcase their own, network with industry professionals, and attend informative sessions and workshops.

The RangeMe & ECRM team at Expo West 2023

As our RangeMe team strolled through the different exhibition halls, we were thrilled to witness many of our suppliers proudly displaying their products. Natural products continue to gain popularity, and we’ve compiled a list of the most promising trends from the show that we expect to pick up even more steam this year.

Asian fusion 

This year’s showcase was all about shaking things up with global flavors and funky takes on classic favorites. Condiments like Japanese miso barbecue sauce or Fila Manila®’s Filipino banana ketchup had mouths watering, and some brands got creative with their own versions of chili crisp and Asian-inspired bites like mochi, dumplings, and ramen. And don’t even get us started on the flavor explosion …

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In: Dropshipping|Last Updated:

Maybe you’ve heard the saying, “It takes money to make money.” But what happens when you don’t have much of it to begin with?

While the saying is generally true, it’s not as black and white as you might think. You can absolutely start a business with no money—as long as you have some patience, resourcefulness, and savvy. The capital you need at the beginning will also depend on the type of business you’re trying to start.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the best low or no-capital business ideas, how to create and launch your new business, and how to generate the funding you need to grow.

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How to start a business for free in 6 steps

1. Find no-cost business opportunities

Of course, some business ventures will require a lot more money upfront than others. We’ve put together a list of ideas that require little or no capital. Hopefully one of them will get your gears turning.

Create a service business

Do you have certain skills, talents, or specialized knowledge that you can capitalize on? What about things you wouldn’t mind doing for a living? Try selling …

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In: Dropshipping|Last Updated:
Etsy Dropshipping: The Ultimate Guide for Dropshipping on Etsy

There’s been some buzz about Etsy dropshipping lately. Creative entrepreneurs passionate about handmade and unique items are discovering that Etsy is a great marketplace for showcasing their goods. However, not everyone is familiar with dropshipping and how it can be used to sell products on Etsy. In this article, we’ll break down the steps to get your Etsy dropshipping business up and running.

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What is dropshipping?

Dropshipping is a business model where a merchant sells products without needing to manufacture goods, carry inventory, or ship products to customers. The business model is popular among new and risk-averse entrepreneurs who want to start an ecommerce business.

Traditionally, entrepreneurs were required to buy products in bulk, at wholesale prices. If a product sold, great! If it didn’t, they were left with a box of unsold inventory. Yikes. With dropshipping, you buy products from suppliers on an individual basis. So if a customer places an order on your store, you then order that product—and only that product—from the supplier.

what is dropshipping

What is Etsy

Etsy is an ecommerce site that allows sellers to showcase craft supplies, as well as vintage or handmade items. Although it …

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In: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:

We are all endlessly bombarded with marketing messages and tactics attempting to get us to purchase one product over another. Whether a company is promoting its formula (“New and Improved”), showing its popularity (“America’s #1 Choice”), or highlighting benefits (“Keeps you Fuller Longer”), it can be hard to wade through the messages and know what’s true and what truly matters. All consumers ever want is what is best for them and their families.

Understanding FDA regulations

It’s critical to know and understand what these claims mean and how companies use them. Regarding claims, there are varying degrees of oversight from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). These are the two big agencies tasked with ensuring the safety of the food that Americans eat every day. The FDA oversees all processed food, while the USDA regulates meat, poultry, eggs, and produce.

The FDA groups the claims that they oversee into three different categories:

Nutrient content claims: These claims help put the level of a nutrient in the product into perspective for the consumer by using terms such as free, high, and low, or compare the  nutrient levels in a food to that …

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